President Truman Reported Opposed to Establishment of Palestine As a Jewish State

December 5, 1945

Washington (Dec. 4)

President Truman was reported today to oppose the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish state, because he does not feel that any government should be established on racial or religious lines.

The views of the President were made public here by J. David Stern, publisher of the Philadelphia Record, following a visit to the White House. Mr. Stern has just returned from London as a member of a delegation sent by the American League for a Free Palestine. He emphasized that he had received permission from Truman to clarify the president’s position on Palestine.

President Truman made it clear, Mr. Stern announced, that he was still in favor of a free Palestine and of making Palestine a haven for Jews as well as opening the country to immigration, but he did not favor making Palestine a Jewish state.

As a true American, the President said he did not feel any government should be established on religious or racial lines, Mr. Stern continued, adding that the President felt that the government of Palestine should be a government of the people of Palestine irrespective of race, creed or color.

Charles Ross, President Truman’s press secretary, today announced that an agreement has been reached between the United States and Britain on the number of persons to be appointed to the joint Anglo-American inquiry commission on Palestine. Refusing to reveal the number agreed upon, he stated that the announcement of the personnel was being delayed because it took time to get the best possible people to agree to serve.